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James M. Goldgeier

Dean, School of International Service, American University

Former senior fellow for transatlantic relations.

Award-winning author, former State Department official, and staff member of the National Security Council. Professor of political science and international politics at George Washington University. Author of the book America Between the Wars (with Derek Chollet, PublicAffairs Books, June 2008) and the recent Council Special Report The Future of NATO(January 2010).

Publications

NATO has been a cornerstone of security in Europe--and of U.S. foreign policy--for six decades. But its ability to continue playing such a central role is unclear. James M. Goldgeier takes a sober look at what the alliance and its members must do to maintain NATO's relevance in the face of today's strategic environment.

Listen to experts recall how the the United States envisioned its role in a post-Soviet world two decades ago when the Berlin Wall fell and whether expectations of 1989 square with the challenges of 2009.

The fall of the Berlin Wall was not the only significant international development of 1989, writes James Goldgeier. The withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan and the Tiananmen Square massacre in China signified the emergence of two new international challenges: failed states and illiberal capitalism, each of which has "vexed" the United States for the past two decades.

The fall of the Berlin Wall 20 years ago marked a triumph of the U.S. strategy of containment. But U.S. policymakers have been struggling to establish new guidelines for confronting the world's complex challenges.

In this book, CFR Senior Fellow James M. Goldgeier and Derek H. Chollet explore how the decisions and debates of the years between the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of the Twin Towers shaped the world we live in today. Teaching notes by Dr. Goldgeier.

President Obama's first major overseas summits are shadowed by disputes with European allies over stimulus plans and commitment to the Afghan war. He should seize the opportunity to appeal for a strong Europe and a strong NATO.

James M. Goldgeier argues that while NATO has much to celebrate during its 60th anniversary, it must overcome its inability to operate effectively as a military alliance in Afghanistan in order to be relevant in the 21st century.

Listen to authors Derek H. Chollet and James M. Goldgeier discuss their new book and events from the fall of the Berlin Wall to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 with students, as part of the CFR Academic Conference Call Series.

Listen to CFR fellows discuss topics such as U.S. relations with Asia, Russia, and Europe, as well as the financial crisis, nuclear terrorism, and climate change, as they relate to the presidential foreign policy debate.

Given the tarnished record of George W. Bush’s “freedom agenda,” the idea of promoting democracy throughout the world is losing traction with both Democrats and Republicans, write James Goldgeier and Derek Chollet.

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